Lung Cancer Screening Extending Benefits Up to Age 80 for Surgical Candidates, UK Study Shows

Recent research presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC 2025) in Barcelona highlights the potential benefits of lung cancer screening for individuals aged up to 80 who are suitable candidates for surgery. The study indicates that older adults between 75 and 80 years old may achieve survival outcomes comparable to younger patients when diagnosed through screening.

Despite the fact that half of lung cancers are diagnosed in individuals aged 75 and above, there has been limited evidence on the effectiveness of screening in this age group, with most national screening programs, including the UK's, traditionally stopping at age 74. Although the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening up to age 80, data on the actual benefits of extending the screening age have been sparse.

This study analyzed clinical data from two targeted lung cancer screening programs in the UK—the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial (YLST) and the North & East Manchester Lung Health Check (NEM-LHC). Starting in 2019, these programs systematically invited individuals with a history of smoking to participate. Researchers evaluated 574 cases of invasive lung cancer, with 33%, or 190 cases, occurring in the 75–80 age group. Importantly, the distribution of cancer stages was similar between the different age groups.

While curative treatments were provided to 87% of patients overall, surgical resection was less frequent among the older group (42%) compared to the 55–74 age group (58%). Although all-cause mortality was higher in those aged 75–80, with a hazard ratio of 1.54 and a 4-year survival rate of 56%, patients who underwent surgery showed comparable survival outcomes across age groups. Specifically, at four years post-treatment, mortality was 16% in the 75–80 age group versus 18% in the younger cohort.

This evidence suggests that carefully selected older patients who are fit for surgery may benefit significantly from lung cancer screening. According to lead researcher Patrick Goodley from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, expanding screening eligibility to age 80 could enable more older adults to receive potentially curative treatment, emphasizing the importance of assessing surgical fitness rather than age alone.

This research underscores the need to tailor lung cancer screening programs to include suitable older adults, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life for this vulnerable group.